Bob Jane T-Marts Lost Key Fob to My Car

annielolz on 12/08/2020 - 20:10
Last edited 15/08/2020 - 09:54 by 1 other user

I dropped my car off at Bob Jane around 1.30pm and left my car there to have the 2 front tyres changed. At 4.20pm, I received a call from the store manager at Bob Jane letting me know that they lost the key fob to the car and have been searching for it by looking everywhere and calling up customers who had their tyres replaced recently. I spoke calmly in return asking what were they proposing to do to which the manager replied saying that he would continue to look for it and if it shows up he will give me a ring. I agreed as that's all that can be done for now.

I got a lift there from my place of work, arrived around 4.40pm, and spoke to the manager who said they are still looking for it as he is still calling up staff for answers. He told me that the key was placed by the job board at around 2pm and when they went to align the wheels at 4pm, they realised the key was missing.

I had to call my partner to drop the spare key off at the site. I found it quite agitating being there as there was no procedure or processes in place for things like this and the manager's responses were not very reassuring about the situation. I'm lucky I had a spare and people who were willing to help me. A lot of issues were faced in just getting the spare key to me and getting the car to start whilst hearing the pleasant sound of the car alarm (which is considered to be an inconvenience to all of who helped in this context). Bob Jane agreed to replace the key fob (only after I queried it) and deducted a small amount off the bill ($20 each tyre - again only after I queried about it).

My question is:
The key fob is a key component to the car and if in the wrong hands, sighting some registration or insurance paperwork in the car, or even the customer database at Bob Jane, it may lead to an employee, or friends etc being able to have access and keyless start. I questioned the manager about this potential risk, and he agreed that there is a risk however replied saying that they could only hope for the key to appear over coming days. Obviously, I can't just change the locks which I would easily do if it were just a key and not a key fob, I'd need to get the whole central locking system done and new key fobs with it.

Would you be okay with this happening to you knowing the risks? Interested to know your comments below.

On the plus side, the tyres are great!

TLDR:
Bob Jane lost my key fob. A lot of inconveniences were faced just to get the car running again and getting it off site without a working remote key fob. They offered to replace the key fob (if no chance in recovery) and deducted $20 per tyre only after I asked them about it. I now have to wait for Bob Jane to let me know when they have recovered the key fob and if not to get it replaced over the coming days.

Poll Options expired

  • 4
    <They should replace the whole central locking system>
  • 0
    <They should replace the whole central locking system if key fob is found>
  • 91
    <They should get the key fob replaced and I should move on>
  • 1
    <I should just move on>
  • 1
    <I am paranoid>
Automotive

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Bob Jane T-Marts
Bob Jane T-Marts

Comments

  • Tee Rex Arms on 12/08/2020 - 20:14
    +11

    They’ve been more than reasonable compensating you with a replacement fob AND discount. Stop being greedy and move on with your life, rather than stressing about something that may or may not happen.

    • theHMASfriendship on 12/08/2020 - 20:16

      Agreed.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:36

      Thanks for your comment. The manager wasn't very responsive in handling this. I had to ask him repititively and directly as to what they were going to do in order to mitigate the unsecured key fob risk. If they knew what to do, I wouldn't be writing this post. I was looking for the risks involved as another commented below regarding insurance and theft. I didn't expect them to lose my key but they still did. I guess when this happens to you, you'd know exactly what to do. No stress, just let it be!

    • pegaxs on 15/08/2020 - 09:46

      Stop being greedy and move on with your life

      But but… "MaH CoMpEnSaTiOnZ!!!1!1!!!1"

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2020 - 20:19
    +1

    What a rant

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:37

      thanks for your compliment.

  • FoxJump on 12/08/2020 - 20:36
    +9

    From memory a car can have all the existing keys deregister and some registered back. The dealer can do this I think

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:38

      Awesome! thanks for the contribution.

    • pegaxs on 15/08/2020 - 09:51

      This is correct. Automotive locksmiths can also do this. The only thing this does is stops the car from being opened by the remote and started. Even though most cars only have a fob, they will still have a hidden key in the fob. This key can still be used to open the vehicle, but if that fob has been removed from the system, it cannot start the car.

      This is why I don't buy cars without the second key, or if I do buy it, I always get the other key removed from the system. Dont know if the old owner is going to come around and pinch the car back.

      • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:59

        That's good advice! thanks for that

  • SnoozeAndLose on 12/08/2020 - 20:41
    +5

    Just get to the dealer, they can re set the car computer and re code the key.

    So you are looking around $250 for reset and recode and new car key is around $500 for a Japanese car.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:42

      Awesome. Thanks for the input. Gives me something to consider.

  • bloom on 12/08/2020 - 20:43
    +10

    Sounds like they’re trying to fob you off

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:42

      haha nice one!

  • holdenmg on 12/08/2020 - 21:15
    +3

    Hi,

    Just an out there left field thought…

    Have a look in the boot, especially near/under the spare tyre.

    It is just possible they used the key to access the boot and check the spare or rotate tyres.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:43

      Thanks for your help! no unfortunately the key fob wasn't there.

  • kahn on 12/08/2020 - 21:16
    +6

    They should replace the whole car to spare you the mental trauma.

    • holdenmg on 12/08/2020 - 21:18
      +1

      That would be better than getting back to have them just hand over the fob and have lost the entire car…

      • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:45

        i knr! i agree with this suggestion.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:43

      haha this is amazing!

  • Presence on 12/08/2020 - 21:21
    +2

    Your insurance might not cover you for theft if the key isn't secure. I'd seriously look at getting the keys reprogrammed at the dealer.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:46

      Yes thanks to your comment I rang my insurer. They could only give me general advice however told me that i would have lodge a police report if they can't find the key.

  • Quantumcat on 12/08/2020 - 21:31

    They should do whatever they need to do so that the lost key fob is not capable of opening your car

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:46

      I agree! put the customer in a position prior to handing over the keys!

  • YeemaiI on 12/08/2020 - 21:31

    Yes you may be annoyed, but good on Bob Jane for compensating you like that.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:46

      thanks for your comment.

  • inherentchoice on 13/08/2020 - 03:25

    I think it will turn up.

    Once when I picked up my car from the mechanic, I found a key for another car left inside. I handed it back of course.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:47
      +2

      Yes, you were right. It ended up in another customer's car. Thanks for your comment.

  • JIMB0 on 13/08/2020 - 12:35

    Should have told them you don't have a spare key. Then they would of had to get it sorted right away or give you a loan car.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:50

      Indeed! such a better alternative and less headaches.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 15/08/2020 - 09:37
    +1

    Any update OP?

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 09:41
      +1

      Yes, they found my key. It was in another customer's car. I did give the insurance a ring and was told that with an unsecured key, you'd have to show that you've mitigated the risk including lodging a police report. They mentioned that they couldn't comment any further because I did not have an open claim. Thanks for your input into this post.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 15/08/2020 - 10:07

        You should ask BJ to bear the cost of recoding the key

        • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 10:48

          Harder now I reckon that they've returned the key. I could probably follow up under Australian consumer Law but I have both keys in my possession now. I guess the link in the chain is there if there's a theft and can include Bob Jane as a party.

  • uncle ray on 15/08/2020 - 16:49

    You have the key back - so there is no security issues now whatsoever - it was unfortunate - but you have been compensated for you inconvenience the best they could.
    Unfortunate event - but you should be extemely happy - it could have been worse.

    • annielolz on 15/08/2020 - 19:49

      Thanks for your comment. That's not true regarding the security issue. My key was in another person's possession without my knowledge or consent. I didn't meet the customer the manager picked up the keys from. I just have to believe that the store used their due care and diligence to return the key to me without any foreseeable risks.

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